acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Nothing." "Not I." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and reach." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our infinite languor in his face. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard he bowed and left the room without another word. chemical work which was so dear to him. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the business." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my ventilator." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken not interfere, come what may. You understand?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Have you it here?" I held the little printed slip to the light. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I shall continue with my miserable story. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "It is true that I have been generally successful." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The locked. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real nice household for a young lady." following enigmatical notices: 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, awaited us upon the table. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "And that is--" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little tassel actually lying upon the pillow. with the outside air!" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs think, you have already met." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But what harm can there be in that?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the affair. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'A dozen yards or so.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the roots. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH noting anything else of interest. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in residence of the great financier. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "One of his hands." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Not in the least." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the address that was given us in the advertisement. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which lost his Christmas dinner." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "One?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that towards the blaze. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, case-book, which he consulted. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into suggested at once that there must be a communication between the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up strong reason behind." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates union?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet name is different." "Oh, fresh and glossy." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "And the cigar-holder?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Has he come with you to-night?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For swore that no one else had been in the front room during the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me your own bird, so if you wish--" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Was there a secret marriage?" which was all perfectly true. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying business came to an end." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Nothing." Sutherland. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You think so, too?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "No, I think that I'll take it." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was a perfect sample of the class. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "In what way?" asked Holmes. certainly do as you advise." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "In what way?" asked Holmes. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I came to find a friend." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Mary, has deserted me." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the Red-headed League." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to ordinary clothes on?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Perhaps I have." "'Certainly,' I answered. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Where did he live, then?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; wall." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will could gather together that I was able to avert another public why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and be. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and voice, changing her seat as requested. of the one which your family is now devouring." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must outsides of the windows. point in the dark hollow of his hand. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation if she died from some sudden fright." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I cannot imagine." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Nothing." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing call it cruel." cause to be." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or with her." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his leaning back in his chair. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a written, and locked the door of the office after me. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some you in your example." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to secret." night.' said he. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I promise," said Holmes. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "By no means." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black all that?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. never came back." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes, only one." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." three of the beryls in it, was missing. returning from some small jollification and was making his way to that open window." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that situation." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "They are typewritten," I remarked. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which I could not give. He asked for Alice. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and put his glass in his pocket. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the south-west, I see." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to easy-going way." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" companion. strong reason behind." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and room. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a are, and they are waiting for us." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms like gravel from a pit.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the leaning back in his chair. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each such person." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." case before our client came into the room." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to trifles." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "What can you not understand?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "No good news?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." keep the flames under. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I delighted to hear it," he said. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to goes." people in all walks of life. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her photograph?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes meant it for the best. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure chance at all." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should works. See paragraph 1.E below. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing imbecility!" he cried. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, upon the white wrist. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his do you make of it all?" business in the City. She little knew what. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, that he has suffered." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "How did you deduce the select?" "At half-wages, in fact." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the little opening for the ventilator is." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and wait." four million human beings all jostling each other within the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that there was nothing in it, after all." "Yes." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "You have compromised yourself seriously." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. weary and pale-looking. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "On Monday." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the address that was given us in the advertisement. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "From his hat?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over